Best No Annual Fee Travel Credit Cards of 2019

Other travel options

For airlines

If you fly one particular airline frequently, you're usually better off with its standard credit card than with a no-annual-fee version. Even though standard airline cards have a fee in the $95 range, they offer free checked bags, early boarding privileges and other perks that can make up the cost with only one or two trips. Still, each major airline offers a no-annual-fee card:

The American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp^℠ Card earns 2 AAdvantage miles per $1 spent at grocery stores and on eligible American Airlines purchases, and 1 AAdvantage mile for every $1 spent on other purchases. There's a sign-up bonus that the issuer describes this way: Earn 10,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles and receive a $50 statement credit after making $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening*. Miles redeem for flights, upgrades, car rentals, hotel stays or vacation packages. You also save 25% on in-flight food and beverage purchases made with the card.

The Blue Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express earns 2 miles per $1 spent at restaurants and on purchases made directly with Delta, and 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. You also get 20% off of in-flight purchases in the form of statement credit when you use your card to buy food, beverages or audio headsets. Terms apply. New cardholders are eligible for a welcome offer: Earn 10,000 bonus miles after spending $500 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.

The United℠ TravelBank Card earns 2% back in TravelBank cash on airline tickets purchased from United and 1.5% back on all other purchases. TravelBank cash can be used toward the purchase of United flights. The card saves you 25% on in-flight food, beverages and Wi-Fi. There's also a sign-up bonus: $150 in United TravelBank cash after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

For hotels

The Hilton Honors American Express Card earns Hilton Honors Bonus Points with each eligible purchase: 7 points per dollar when spent directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton Honors portfolio of brands; 5 points per dollar at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations; and 3 per dollar on all other purchases. It also offers a welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points with the Hilton Honors American Express Card after you use your new Card to make $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply. .

Marriott plans to introduce a no-annual-fee card in summer 2019, according to the issuer, Chase. The new card will be part of a refreshed suite of Marriott cards under its rewards program, which has been rebranded as Bonvoy.

for penfed credit union members

The PenFed Pathfinder Rewards American Express® Card is available to PenFed credit union members only. But if you qualify for membership, this card offers rich ongoing rewards and introductory offers. The sign-up bonus offers 25,000 bonus points when you spend $2,500 within 3 months of opening an account . The card also provides an annual travel credit and a statement credit for airport security screening programs — perks mostly found on premium travel credit cards with high annual fees.

Information about the United℠ TravelBank Card was gathered by NerdWallet and has not been provided or reviewed by the issuer of this card.